late 19th c Benin Bronze leopard head

 The extraordinary bronzes of the Benin kingdom in what is now Nigeria exhibit a virtuosity and sophistication of style that has astonished the Western world since they were visited in the 15th Century. Their work was brought to Europe following a punitive expedition by the British in 1897, causing a great sensation. The people of Benin, called Bini, are descended from the Ife, also known for their remarkable bronzes. Almost all Benin art was created to honor the king , or Oba, who has reigned, with his ancestors, from the 15th century.  Although similar to many older  Each is  sculpted by hand, then cast in bronze by the lost wax process.

This is part of my late Fathers collection and when he acquired it in the late 1970's during traveling through Africa, he was told it is late 19th century

height 30cm

weight 2.7kg